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Where does the word "coquette" come from? It comes from French coq, passing through French before entering English (1610s).
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Where does the word "coquette" come from? It comes from French coq, passing through French before entering English (1610s).
Coquette’s story begins in French: coq meant “rooster.” A rooster. Within French, it grew into coquette by 1600s. 'little hen', from 'coquet', a strutting little rooster, a flirt. It reached English by 1610s as coquette. 'coquettish' followed in the 1700s. Today, coquette means a flirtatious woman.
- Stage 1 · French · medieval coq "rooster", a rooster.
- Stage 2 · French · 1600s coquette "flirt", 'little hen', from 'coquet', a strutting little rooster, a flirt.
- Stage 3 · English · 1610s coquette "flirtatious woman", 'coquettish' followed in the 1700s.